This feature about the care and keeping of Makaze Suzuho was published in the June 2017 Kageki.
Makaze Suzuho’s Breaktime My Way
Relaxation methods?
Onsen, of course (laughs). Besides that, I clean my house, or go for drives, or watch movies. I’m trying to make my home into an environment where I can really relax.
Personal room style
It’s all done in wood. Several years back I was looking for kitchen shelves and bought some wood ones I really fell in love with. That started me thinking ‘wood is really nice.’ I’m trying to make it look like a chic cafe (laughs). The number of potted plants I have keeps increasing; right now there are 5 in my living room altogether. I think they’re all working to keep the air in my room clean (laughs).
Sleep
Must-have sleep goods
Recently I bought a new duvet that’s really large. I think it feels a lot better. I worry about dryness when there’s a show on, so I turn on a humidifier and wear a mask to bed. Recently I’ve also been using a seal for my mouth that’s supposed to reduce mouth breathing. It sometimes hurts when I take it off in the morning, though… Basically, I’m scared of dryness when I’m sleeping (laughs).
What I always do before bed
Since i’ve heard that you sleep better if you always do the same routine every day before sleeping, I turn on the humidifier, put the seal on (laughs) – always the same pattern. Also, a bit before bed, I adjust the lights and light a candle so that the lighting is really easy on my eyes. At times when I can’t sleep I’ll play relaxing music.
The first thing I do when I wake up
First, I keep turning off the alarm that goes off every 5 minutes (laughs). After doing that however many times, I get up and open the curtains to absorb the natural light. Also, recently I’ve been drinking a fruit and vegetable juice blend.
Morning person or night person?
As a junior actress I was a night person, but recently I’ve begun to get ready very early, so I’ve shifted into a morning person!
Sleep time
During a performance I’m using a lot of energy, so I sleep 8-9 hours a night. During rehearsals, if it goes late I might get as little as 6 hours, but my ideal is 7 hours. In the past I used to commonly sleep for 10 hours or more (laughs).
Action
Cooking specialty
If it’s normal things, I can cook anything up to the normal level (laughs). On off days if I have the time I’ll cook; the other day I made okonomiyaki with Japanese yams!
Ideal breakfast for a day off
Since I generally have traditional food at home, I think something like a hotel’s continental breakfast buffet would be really invigorating! French toast and pancakes, omelettes made right in front of me by the chef…I’d love something like that. But generally I just have rice!
Ideal supper for a day off
Since off days should be special, I’d like to go to a trendy teppanyaki restaurant1 or something like that.
Best 3: ways I like to spend a day off
1. Shopping
2. Spending the whole day at home – It feels really luxurious to hole up at home all day and watch shows I programmed to record while I was out.
3. Going to an onsen – If there’s a sauna and a cold bath I can stay there for hours and hours. I also love stone saunas.
Best 3: recent ‘boom’ trends
1. Amino acids – Recently I’ve been paying more attention to my health, so along with the juice in the morning I take amino acid supplements. he best thing I can do to improve the quality of my performances is to take care of my health.
2. Going for drives – I like to take my car and go to ‘power spots’ like shrines and such. Recently I went with a retired classmate to Izanagi shrine2 in Awaji.
3. Cleaning – Recently I was cleaning out the cabinet where I keep my stage makeup supplies, but when I pulled out one of the drawers and removed what was inside I saw that the base was falling out (laughs). I bought a replacement cabinet so I was able to finish cleaning, so now I just have to throw out the old one (laughs).
For the times I think ‘just one cup!’
I like black tea. Recently I had some delicious white grape flavor black tea at a cafe! I bought the tea leaves without a second thought. I also am able to drink black coffee now – I couldn’t before so I feel like I’ve made it another step up the ladder of adulthood (laughs)
The vital things for Makaze Suzuho to be Makaze Suzuho
I think it has to be my fans. It’s because of my fans that I have this stage name, so even when I’m worried or struggling, I’ll read everyone’s letters and by hearing from them I’m reminded how much support I have, so I can keep going as ‘Makaze Suzuho’. I’ts because of my fans that I’m motivated and can think ‘I’ll work hard today too!’
1 – Teppanyaki is the name for the type of restaurants that serve yakisoba, okonomiyaki, or other related dishes, where a chef will prepare food on a flat griddle in front of the customers. The US chain Benihana operates on this concept (although it is more theatrical than Japanese establishments tend to be).
2 – Izanagi Shrine is dedicated to the deities Izanagi and Izanami. This is their official website (not in English), and a Michelin travel guide page in English is located here.